Easy Vegan Rice Recipes
If you’re on the hunt for easy vegan recipes, rice dishes are like a safe bet. I’ve got two downright tasty and simple recipes that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Perfect Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is like the rockstar of long-grain rices with its sweet smell and nut-flavored pops of yum. Straight from the Himalayas and Pakistan, it’s a solid pick for many meals. Want to nail that perfect dish? It’s all in how you cook it.
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
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Instructions:
- Rinse that rice! Stick it under running water for a minute or two to ditch the extra starch. Goodbye, sticky mess.
- Toss the rinsed rice, water, and salt into a medium pan.
- Crank up the heat until it boils, then dial it down to low and slap on a lid.
- Let it chill for 15-20 minutes until the water’s just about gone and your rice is soft.
- Pull it off the heat and leave it covered for an extra 5 minutes.
- Fluff it up with a fork before serving.
The goal here? A texture that’s soft, floofy, and grains that aren’t clingy (Once Upon a Chef).
Cuban Black Beans and Rice
Cuban Black Beans and Rice are like a cozy hug in a bowl—packed with flavor and good vibes. A favorite across Latin America and the Caribbean, this vegan dish just screams comfort.
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium. Toss in the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook ‘em until soft and lovely.
- Add cumin and oregano, giving a good stir until your nose is full of spicy goodness.
- Throw in the rice, mixing it so everything gets cozy with the oil and spices.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, bring it to a boil, then lower the heat, throw a cover on, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and broth-free.
- Stir in the black beans and cook another 5 minutes until they’re nice and warm.
This is a great choice for vegan recipe for lunch or dinner, giving you a hearty taste of Cuba that’s beloved all over Latin America and the Caribbean (The Vegan Atlas).
These recipes are just the start if you’re dipping your toes into vegan recipe waters. You get easy, tasty, and nutrient-packed dishes. For more vegan recipe ideas, don’t miss checking out our other exciting eats.
Flavorful Vegan Rice Dishes
Vegan Sausage and Lentils
When I’m in the mood for something cozy and filling, my mind immediately goes to Vegan Sausage and Lentils with Yellow Rice. It’s like a party in your mouth, bringing together the essence of Italian, Spanish, and Caribbean cooking. The flavors combine beautifully to leave your taste buds doing a happy dance!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown lentils, cooked to perfection
- 4 delicious vegan sausages, sliced thin
- 1 cup yellow rice
- 1 onion, diced up nicely
- 1 bell pepper, diced up nicely too
- 2 cloves garlic, knocked into little pieces
- 2 tbsp splendid olive oil
- Salt and pepper, however much your heart tells you
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 |
| Protein | 15g |
| Carbohydrates | 50g |
| Fat | 10g |
Curious about more culinary adventures? Take a peek at our easy vegan recipes for more inspiration.
Vegan Hoppin’ John
Vegan Hoppin’ John is my go-to when I crave a plant-based spin on that smoky, comforting Southern delight. Packed with black-eyed peas and rice, it’s perfect for ringing in New Year’s luck or just making any day feel like a celebration.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup black-eyed peas, soaked just right
- 1 cup long grain rice, because we’re fancy
- 1 onion, chopped up
- 2 garlic cloves, minced into tiny bits
- 1 can diced tomatoes, bursting with flavor
- 1 tsp smoked paprika, giving off all the cozy vibes
- 2 tbsp of that awesome olive oil
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300 |
| Protein | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 55g |
| Fat | 6g |
Looking for more comforting dishes? Check out our vegan recipes for dinner healthy and thank me later.
Mujaddara
Mujaddara holds a special spot in my heart for its mix of simplicity and robust taste. Imagine rice (or grains), lentils, and onions all cooked just right in olive oil—creating a dish that’s like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown rice, cooked just right
- 1 cup green lentils, because variety is the spice of life
- 3 large onions, sliced thin like you’re a pro chef
- 4 tbsp olive oil; go ahead, drizzle it!
- Salt and pepper, as you please
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 65g |
| Fat | 10g |
Want more Middle Eastern flavor? Dip into our vegan curry recipe to spice things up a bit.
So there you have it: Three rice dishes that’ll upgrade your vegan cooking repertoire, delight your taste buds, and nourish your body—what more could you ask for?
Unique Vegan Rice Creations
Vegetable Sushi Salad
When it comes to whipping up something quick and tasty, my go-to has got to be the Vegetable Sushi Salad, better known as the Deconstructed Sushi Bowl. It’s like sushi, but…lazy. Perfect, right? You get that classic sushi vibe, minus the hassle of rolling stuff up. With rice, avocado, carrots, cucumber, and bits of nori, you’re treated to a colorful, delicious mix that’s dead simple to make. The Vegan Atlas even says it fits snugly into any plant-based diet.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sushi rice
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 sheet nori, ripped into pieces
- Soy sauce (for drizzling)
- Sesame seeds (for a little sprinkle)
Instructions:
- Cook that sushi rice following the package directions and let it cool.
- Toss the cooled rice, avocado slices, carrot, and cucumber into a bowl.
- Chuck on the nori pieces, drizzle a bit of soy sauce, and sprinkle those sesame seeds.
For more salad ideas that might blow your mind, peek at our vegan recipe salad collection.
Costa Rican Rice and Beans
Next up is Costa Rican Rice and Beans, which locals call “Gallo Pinto.” I love rustling up this dish when my stomach’s growling for something warm and filling. It’s loaded with flavors but doesn’t overcomplicate things with fancy ingredients. Forks Over Knives raves about how this dish shines in both ease and taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper (do your thing)
- Fresh cilantro (for a fresh finish)
Instructions:
- Cook the rice like the instructions tell you—then put it aside.
- Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a big pan until they’re seeing stars.
- Throw in the black beans and cooked rice, mixing it all up.
- Season with salt and pepper, then top with a bit of fresh cilantro.
Wanna see more easy and healthy dishes? Check out our easy vegan recipes page.
These recipes just scratch the surface of what vegan cooking has to offer. It’s a whole world of flavors out there, and it’s perfect for folks who love their health and Mother Earth. On the hunt for more inspiration? Dive into our vegan recipe for lunch and vegan recipe dinner party.
Funky Rice Swaps
Cauliflower Rice Quirks
I’ll be honest—cauliflower rice is my go-to when I want to dodge carbs like a pro in dodgeball. This veggie chameleon fits right into stews and soups whether it’s raw or cooked. It’s like sneaking into a movie with a suspiciously big backpack; you’re getting those veggies in without anyone noticing. Bonus: it’s full of good-for-you nutrients that make you feel virtuous just thinking about it.
| Nutrient | Cauliflower Rice (per cup) | White Rice (per cup) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 25 | 204 |
| Carbs | 5g | 45g |
| Fiber | 2g | 0.6g |
| Protein | 2g | 4g |
Chickpea Protein Fried Rice
Whip up some Chickpea Protein Fried Rice if you want to feel full and fancy with a solid plant-based bang. Toss these little protein-packed powerhouses with sautéed veggies like garlic, carrots, and peppers. I like to shake things up based on whatever’s lurking in my fridge. Easiest diet hack ever: all the flavors, all the protein, and no missing the meat.
This dish is like a culinary playground. Switch up the veggies, unleash your inner chef, and discover a new favorite each time. It’s a feel-good, eat-good kind of meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Take a look at some other protein-stuffed vegan delights.
Risotto Remix
Risotto usually wows us with its creamy, dreamy texture thanks to Arborio rice. But, who says tradition can’t be tweaked? By playing with plant-based extras, you can craft a risotto that’s just as luscious and way more creative. I often kick things up with roasted veggies, herbs, and plant-based pals like tofu or tempeh. It’s comfort food with a twist, offering something new every time you stir that pot.
| Ingredient | Traditional Risotto | Vegan Risotto |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Type | Arborio | Arborio or Short Grain Variants |
| Stock | Chicken Stock | Vegetable Stock |
| Additions | Parmesan, Butter | Nutritional Yeast, Olive Oil |
| Protein | None or Seafood | Tofu, Tempeh |
Switching rice for something funky or throwing in a new twist can take your vegan dishes from “meh” to “marvelous.” For more tasty vegan hits, join me in peeking at our stockpile of simple vegan meals.
Popular Fried Rice Recipes
Let’s chat about fried rice, a superstar in the world of vegan cooking. Easy to toss together for a quick bite or serve at a fancy dinner, this dish has it all. Get your apron on, and hang with me as I teach you how to make fried rice that will make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Classic Fried Rice Method
Wanna know my secret? It’s all about the technique. Here’s my go-to method:
Step-by-Step Method:
- Cook the Rice: First off, getting the rice right sets the stage. Par-boil it and give it a steam bath. The trick is to keep it a bit drier than your regular rice routine.
- Cool the Rice: Next, spread that rice out like it’s sunbathing on a beach towel, using a sheet pan to cool it down. Keeps those grains from turning into a gooey mess.
- Prepare the Pan: Time for the pan action! A wok is the OG choice because it heats up the middle like nobody’s business (Delish), but when I’m feeling wild, a cast iron skillet works just as well.
- Heat the Oil: Crank up the heat with oils like canola or avocado. Get that oil nice and toasty before bringing in the star ingredients.
- Add Aromatics: Toss in garlic and ginger, minced up all tiny. They’re like the background singers, giving depth to the lead actors.
- Incorporate Vegetables: Now, let’s get some color in there with peas, carrots, and bell peppers. Cook ‘em until they lose the crunch but not the charm.
- Combine the Rice: Bring the now-cooled rice into the mix. Stir it all up to make sure everything’s fully coated in flavor goodness.
- Season the Rice: Seal the deal with some saucy love and your choice of spices. Cook until all the flavors blend just right.
Flavorful Fried Rice Ingredients
The magic happens with the right crew of ingredients and flavors. Here’s what jumps into my mix:
| What to Add | Why It’s Awesome |
|---|---|
| Soy Sauce | Brings in that savory sidekick vibes |
| Garlic | Packs a flavorful punch |
| Ginger | Kicks in some zest |
| Scallions | A hint of that oniony goodness |
| Sugar | Sweetens up the salty soy |
| White Pepper | Adds a gentle earthiness |
| MSG | Cranks up the umami factor |
| Peas | Sweet pops of texture |
| Carrots | Crunch with a splash of color |
| Bell Peppers | Fresh, crispy bite |
Sometimes when I want to health it up, I swap out regular rice for Cauliflower Rice. It’s like the cool, low-carb cousin that fits right in (Healthline).
As for the sauce, it’s a mixup of soy sauce (or tamari, if gluten’s your nemesis), a dash of sweet maple syrup, and a little sprinkle of dried ginger (Fooduzzi).
Feeling hungry for more? Browse through our vegan recipe for lunch. Or, for a full-on meal, why not dive into a tasty vegan curry recipe?
Rise of Plant-Based Diets
Growth of Veganism
Lately, folks are hopping on the plant-based train faster than ever! Out here in America, the number of vegans skyrocketed by a jaw-dropping 500% between 2014 and 2017. We’re talking about jumping from nearly four million to a whopping 19.6 million! Why the green shift, you ask? People are waking up to the health perks of munching on plants, and they’re also feeling the love for Mother Earth and her creatures (NCBI).
Now, let me tell you – once you dive into the world of vegan cooking, it’s like unlocking a buffet of yumminess. Take rice, for example. This humble grain can steal the show in dishes like vegan chili and vegan risotto. It’s all about making something simple yet amazing. Fancy trying more? Check out our spot on easy vegan recipes – rice, beans, and everything in between.
Market Trends in Meat Alternatives
As more folks ditch the meat, the craving for meat-free goodies is booming! The meat substitute market is on a rocket ship ride from USD 1.6 billion in 2019 to hitting USD 3.5 billion by 2026 (NCBI). That’s some serious coin, right? Companies are busy whipping up tasty treats that dance circles around boring old meat.
| Year | Market Value (in billion USD) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.6 |
| 2026 | 3.5 |
So, what’s fueling this crazy boom? People are getting keener about how mega meat production messes with the planet and, let’s face it, how it messes with our bodies, too. Enter the delicious world of plant-based goodies like lip-smacking vegan sausages and the unexpected joy of chickpea protein fried rice. Want in on these game-changers? Swing by our page on unique vegan rice creations for some tasty surprise.
Whether you’re a health nut, a planet protector, or just someone curious about ditching meat, diving into vegan cooking can be a blast. Get inspired with a heap of recipes, from vegan recipe pasta to a cozy vegan recipe slow cooker dish. Cook, savor, and step into a healthier way of living.
